Some guests steal; most don’t. Some leave behind “sex puddles”, while others clean up after your dog. And some use Airbnb to bring a baby home

Bad guests come from everywhere “This Polish woman came for an annual holiday with her mom, dad, brother-in-law and sister. Unfortunately, within an hour of their showing up, there was an extended power cut. The brother-in-law and the father sat in one corner of the patio and started bickering. I offered them a refund and even allowed them to use my car and driver free of cost. But even that didn’t help. The men in the family had a temper issue. On their way out, one of them bashed the antique porcelain lamp that was in the house since its British days. I reported them to Airbnb.”

“People from Asia treat Airbnb stays like hotels, like a cheaper alternative, and not like someone’s home.”

“With people from the US, it’s a hit or miss. There are a lot of Americans who are open-minded, understand difference in culture and respect that. But I’ve also had American guests who are completely shut to the world, have no cultural sensitivity and are out of touch with basic realities.”

But mostly from India “My closest to worst experiences have been with Indians. They don’t respect house rules. Ironically, the hardest time I have with Indian guests is in getting them to take their shoes off inside the house.”

“I once had a family from Delhi who nearly wrecked my place. The man was a US-returned software engineer, who arrived with his mother, mother-in-law, houseboy, two fully grown dogs and kids. The dogs were out of control from the start. The mother and mother-in-law stayed at home the whole day, did not go to the beach and bickered with the staff all day. Right off, I learnt to say no to extended families. The family even stole brand new towels!”

“I get a lot of requests where sometimes I feel the intent is not right. Some of them probably think I am a single woman and become overfriendly. Inevitably, they ask about my marital status and family. I get that only from Indians, and perhaps it sounds parochial, but mostly North Indians. ”

Europeans are friendly “The ones from Europe are more fun and like going out more. The best bonds I had with were Europeans and South Americans. But Canadians are friendliest of the lot; they are open-minded and warm. They want to hear about the difference in culture and stuff like that.”

Some guests eventually become friends “I am in touch with 30-40% of the people who pass through my house. I have many active conversations going on with past guests.”

“There was one I was a little apprehensive about. The person was from Haryana. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to host him. Turns out, he was a venture capitalist, and a well-known one at that. He was here for a short while and wanted to have coffee with me. I was at my son’s cricket practice. So he came there and took us out for cakes and coffee. He is coming back to stay with us. When I accepted his reservation, I thought I was making a mistake. It was one mistake that was a good one.”

“The other time a pair of Dutch travellers came back to India after two years. They got so friendly with me. At the end of their stay, my son and I put them in a cab to Mahabaleshwar, but they returned in an hour. ‘We missed you both so much,’ they said. ‘Can we just spend our last day here with you?’ Then they went out and bought me and my son a gift. Bracelet for me and a game for my son.”

They tend to leave things behind “There was this one time when a European couple was very loud in bed. Going plop-plop-plop. But it didn’t bother me; I just put my headphones on and turned up the volume.”

“I have seen fluids on my bed—from stains and spots to puddles on the sheet. But that comes with the territory.”

“People don’t leave things behind by mistake. I think it’s an Airbnb thing to leave things behind intentionally. Sometime toiletries, lots of books. Every now and then, I get an organic shampoo or such things.”

Including some great stories “When my dog was barely few weeks old, these guest arrived from the US. The dog wasn’t trained and was peeing and pooping all the time. My guests said, ‘While we are here, don’t worry about him, we’ll clean up’. And they were cleaning his pee and poop all through their stay! Now they are coming back in December and staying with me again.”

“I had been speaking with a couple, both US citizens originally from two different countries in Africa. He’s software engineer, she a homemaker. They needed the place for 2.5 weeks. We exchanged messages for a day. The woman mentioned that her infant would be joining them midway through the stay. And I thought to myself is he going to fly in. Turns out, they were to have their baby delivered through surrogacy and had been travelling back and forth between Bombay and Seattle. She didn’t want the first place for a baby to come from a hospital to be a hotel. She wanted it to be a house, and she chose mine—the baby’s first home was my house. I cried at some point.”

Based on conversations with Airbnb hosts across multiple cities

Next: India’s super-luxe Airbnb stays:

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Exhale at a mountain retreat in Munnar: With 14 suites and two pool villas that overlook the Kannan Devan and Bison Valley hills, there’s green as far as your eye can see at this mountain getaway. Photography trails, cooking classes and even field visits to tea and cardamom estates can be arranged on request.From Rs34,000. Details

Hang at the house of calm in Goa: A colonial-style bungalow in North Goa, Serendipity comprises two large suites in the mansion and a separate pool villa located in the same property, further up the hill. If pre-booked, wholesome Goan meals, a massage therapist and yoga classes can be made available to guests. Breakfast is complimentary, and Calangute is a brisk walk away. Accommodates up to 12 people.From Rs75,176. Details

Travel to a treehouse in Tala, Madhya Pradesh: Laze in this lodge that overlooks a water hole, frequently visited by the animals in Bandhavgarh. Think tigers, spotted deer, sambhar and a large number of birds for your neighbours. The jungle theme at this property (that is ideal for three) extends to the décor of the treehouse, with the dining hall built around a humongous mahua tree. The comforts of city life are fortunately not forgotten—all treehouses have attached bathrooms with hot-water supply, minibars and air conditioning.From Rs27,553. Details

Watch the sun go down in Goa: Set amidst the last patch of private forestland in Goa, The Aranya Center with 12 bedrooms overlooks a sea of green and wide expanses of the beach. Segregated into three villas with four bedrooms each, there’s plenty of room for everyone, with no-holds-barred access to the pool and kitchen.From Rs30,160. Details

Hang at a 350-year-old home in Goa: While Casa Menezes may be 350 years old, the experience while you’re there guarantees to be far from old-fashioned. Guests of the house can access the indoor gym and the Sala de Kala (hall of art) at the property while soaking in the historical charm. The space is ideal for 8 people, offers four spacious bedrooms and breakfast that’s on the house.From Rs22,052.Details

Get high (up) in the hills in Manali: At Shobla Pine Royale, a newly constructed cottage in old Manali that fits 14 people, you can soak in sights of Rohtang’s snow-capped peaks and sounds of the gushing Jogni waterfalls. City slickers, feel at home—the cottage stocks a kitchenette, minibar, shower enclosure and even (hold your breath) Wi-Fi!From Rs16,989. Details

Get a tan in Alappuzha: Bum around on the beach at Marari Eco Beach House’s two-bedroom sea-facing villa that can fit four, and is souped up with all modern household amenities without compromising on their eco-friendly identity. Hire bikes for free, browse through the in-house library or even sign up for a yoga class while you’re there.From Rs26,061. Details

Live life king-size in Thrissur: Take your royal behind to the former summer palace of the Maharajas of Cochin at the River Retreat in Thrissur, Kerala. Book a room at this ayurvedic resort to get pampered by their team of masseurs. Other services include their pool, a rooftop restaurant and easy access to local art performances.From Rs16,038. Details

Chill at a chalet in Kodaikanal: At this cozy Kodi chalet in the heart of the town, you can enjoy a romantic getaway with your significant other, complete with pinewood floors, a heated foyer and even a landscaped garden for that cabin-in-the-woods feel. There’s also a greenhouse for those keen on flexing their green thumbs at this three-bedroom wonderland, which can accommodate up to 12 people.From Rs30,071. Details

Play Pekoe-boo in Darjeeling: Located in the closest tea estate to Darjeeling, Singtom Resort is full of old-world charm, with ancient fireplaces, colonial-style furniture and stunning views of the tea gardens around. The house can accommodate up to 12 people, with four bedrooms and seven bathrooms.From Rs29,068. Details

Learn to tweet this Birdsong in Goa: At Birdsong Villa in Moira, North Goa, you can take in the peace and quiet of Goa, far away from the bustle of Baga and cacophony of Calangute. Built in 1804, the villa offers four suites and two large rooms, complete with the services of a cook, housekeeper and gardener and is ideal for a party of 16 and more.From Rs65,153. Details

Go desert-dancing in Rajasthan: Cool your heels at this luxury campsite in Chhatra Sagar, with private sit-outs, traditional Rajasthani meals and stunning views of the lake. You could go on a farm or village visit or even try a bird-spotting tour while you’re there. The camp is operational from 1 October to 31 March.From Rs25,059. Details